Trader's community welcomes Amarnath pilgrims wholeheartedly: Kashmir business body
'There is some sense of insecurity because of the Pahalgam incident. However, we assure that people of Kashmir will welcome all with warmth and a dee p sense of brotherhood. We all stand by you (pilgrims). We will keep the values of interfaith brotherhood intact,' KTMF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Khan said, while speaking to the media in Srinagar.
The Amarnath yatra will start from July 3 this year. It comes in the backdrop of a major terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead and saw India and Pakistan in a four-day military confrontation.
Mr. Khan said it's important to recognize that the holy cave and route of the Yatra were discovered centuries ago and the people of Kashmir have served as its natural custodians and caretakers for generations.
'From guiding pilgrims through the mountainous terrain to offering food, shelter and support Kashmiris have always stood as protectors of this sacred journey reflecting a time-honoured spirit of communal harmony. The Amarnath Yatra is not merely a religious event but it is a reflection of our centuries old tradition of hospitality, inclusiveness and communal harmony,' Mr. Khan said.
The entire Kashmiri business community welcome the Yatra and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure its smooth, peaceful and successful completion, he added.
'We at KTMF firmly believe that the Yatra is not only a religious obligation for many but also a bridge between communities and an opportunity to showcase the true spirit of the Kashmiri people. It is our earnest appeal to all yatris to come without fear or hesitation and to see Kashmir for what it truly is a land of warmth, hospitality, culture and resilience,' Mr. Khan said.
He urged the administration that pilgrims should be allowed the freedom to interact with the local population. 'Security must not come at the cost of disconnecting the pilgrimage from its social and cultural surroundings. Pilgrims should be encouraged to walk through our markets talk to our shopkeepers, taste our food and experience Kashmiri hospitality firsthand. Such interactions will only build trust but reinforce the idea that Kashmir is open, welcoming and peaceful,' he said.
He said these pilgrims should return as ambassadors of peace.
Mr. Khan was flanked by senior members of the Federation, who include Manoj Kumar Tandon, Bashir Ahmad Rather, Fayaz Ahmad and Qazi Tauseef.
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